Offers.com’s monthly series highlights the best and worst buys each month. In this installment, we help you optimize your purchases for February 2018

February is the month of President’s Day, the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day. This means there are probably some purchases on your list (new TV for the big game, flowers for Valentine’s Day) — and also plenty of sales.

Before grabbing your wallet, review our expert guide on what to buy (and not to buy) in February.

What to Buy

TVs and electronics

On the heels of the Consumer Electronics Show, February abounds with TVs and electronic deals. After manufacturers release the latest tech products during CES, electronics retailers begin lowering prices of last year’s models to make way for the new. Purchase previous generation 4K TVs, smartphones, tablets and other electronics during February to save up to 60%.

Also, the Super Bowl airs Feb. 4. Because retailers discount TVs in the lead-up to the big game (they know fans are looking for a reason to upgrade), the first few days of February are a chance to snag a TV at Black-Friday prices. Techbargains.com is updating TV deals in real time here.

Furniture and appliances

As with electronics, new furniture designs are released end of January at the Las Vegas Market. After the industry expo, stores start slashing prices on previous years’ furniture designs to clear stores for new merchandise. During February, you may see discounts of up to 70% on everything from armchairs to armoires.

Winter apparel and gear

During the final full month of winter, you’ll spot some of the year’s deepest discounts on winter apparel and sports goods. Eager to make room for spring merchandise, department stores offer coats, jackets, sweaters, scarves and other winter clothes and accessories up for as much as 80% off. Meanwhile, recreational retailers drop the prices of skis, snowboards and other winter gear by up to 30%.

Jewelry

Once Valentine’s Day has passed, prices on jewelry will plummet. During the last two weeks of February, you can snatch up post-holiday discounts of 60% to 80% off rings, earrings, bracelets and more — especially heart-shaped ones. Not a bad idea, either, with Mother’s Day closer than you think.

Chocolate and other Valentine’s merchandise

To clear shelves for next season’s gear, merchants reduce pricing on Valentine’s-themed chocolate, candy, decorations and gifts by as much as 80%. Stock up on Valentine’s Day gear for next year, and satisfy your sweet tooth with creamy truffles and juicy chocolate-covered strawberries—you don’t want them to go to waste, after all.

What Not to Buy

Spring apparel

As February draws to a close, you may spy the first warm weather selections on shelves. If you can resist the urge to splurge on a cute sundress or warmer-weather jacket, you can typically find the best deals on spring apparel during May and June.

Valentine’s Day Gifts (between now and Feb. 14)

Perfume, heart-shaped jewelry, heart-holding teddy bears, roses and boxes of chocolates are all enjoying high demand. Retailers know you have a deadline to buy these items, so they won’t try to entice you with lower prices — until Feb. 15, that is. For Valentine’s Day, save money by going for less-traditional gifts (daisies, small electronics and non-Valentine’s-Day gift baskets). And then snap up pink and red gifts and goodies for next year on Feb. 15.

Gym memberships

After pulling in hordes of fitness seekers after New Year’s, many gyms roll up their membership promotion signs. Special offers reappear in the spring, when warmer weather draws members off treadmills and outdoors. That said, if you do want to sign up in February, you can still negotiate yourself a good deal.

Travel

With vacationers booking their winter and spring break trips, the cost of flights, accommodations and transportation may rise. Hoard your vacation days until shoulder season in September and October to score a cheaper and less-crowded vacation. One exception, however, is cruises. February is smack in the middle of what the industry knows as Wave Season — that’s when cruises try to book as many cabins as they can early in the year.

Luggage

Wait until March to replace your battered suitcase. With summer travel approaching, retailers will start stocking new styles — and start discounting the old ones.

Kristin is a savings and deals expert at Offers.com. Her great loves are travel, shopping, and shopping while traveling, which has made her a bargain hunter out of necessity. In addition to finding ways to save money, Kristin is an avid credit-card rewards maximizer who thinks about every purchase in terms of the free travel and cash back it will earn.

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